Under the blinding spotlight of a jubilant Pittsburgh crowd, a new chapter in Montreal Canadiens history began with a single, unexpected phone call—a call that would echo through the halls of hockey legend. Jacob Fowler, just days removed from the relative obscurity of the Laval Rocket, found himself thrust onto NHL ice, stopping 36 shots and sealing a dramatic victory for the Canadiens. But it wasn’t just the score that made headlines; it was the voice on the other end of the line, a voice belonging to none other than Carey Price, the iconic netminder whose name is woven into the very fabric of Montreal’s hockey lore.

Imagine the scene: Fowler, 21 and wide-eyed, freshly inked to a three-year contract, sitting in a locker room still humming with adrenaline. His phone buzzes. On the screen, a name appears that every Habs fan knows by heart. Carey Price—now a member of the San Jose Sharks, his $84 million contract still casting a long shadow over the league—reaches out not with strategy or critique, but with a simple message of support and joy. “Just have fun,” Price tells him. In a city where every save is scrutinized and every mistake magnified, such words are more than encouragement—they are a blessing, a passing of the torch from one era to the next.

For Fowler, the timing couldn’t be more surreal. On Tuesday, he was still grinding it out in Laval, his stats quietly impressive: a 2.09 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage in 15 games. By Thursday, he was making history, joining a select group of Canadiens goaltenders who won their NHL debut—Ken Dryden in 1971, Patrick Roy in 1985, Carey Price in 2007, and now, Jacob Fowler in 2025. The city buzzes with comparisons, each name a reminder of the glory and pressure that comes with guarding Montreal’s crease.

Yet beneath the surface, questions swirl. What does Price’s call really mean for Fowler, and for the Canadiens? Is this the start of a new dynasty, or simply a fleeting moment of hope in a season filled with uncertainty? Price hasn’t played in the NHL since 2022, but his influence lingers, especially when the Canadiens search for stability in goal. His message to Fowler is both a nod to tradition and a challenge: can this young goalie rise to the occasion, or will the weight of history prove too much?

The Canadiens’ victory in Pittsburgh was more than just two points in the standings. It was a story—a story of mentorship, legacy, and the mysterious bond between goaltenders who have worn the famous CH. As Lane Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky racked up assists and Montreal climbed to 35 points, the real drama unfolded off the ice, in a quiet conversation between past and present.

Now, as fans and analysts scramble to interpret every detail, one thing is certain: the Canadiens have found a narrative that transcends statistics and standings. Jacob Fowler’s journey has only just begun, and with Carey Price’s blessing, the possibilities seem endless. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but the hockey world will be watching, breathless, for the next twist in this unforgettable story.

Photo of Jacob Fowler and Carey Price

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

In two days, Jacob Fowler went from the Laval Rocket to a big win in Pittsburgh with the Montreal Canadiens.

On Thursday, in Pittsburgh, the Canadiens won 4-2 against the Penguins. Fowler had a solid performance and stopped 36 shots in his first NHL game.

Alexandre Texier, Brendan Gallagher, Cole Caufield, and Oliver Kapanen scored. Lane Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky each recorded two assists.

On Tuesday, Fowler was still with the Laval Rocket. The 21-year-old goaltender has just signed a three-year entry-level contract. The deal is valued at approximately $2.77 million in total, with an annual salary of about $950,000. In Laval, he has already played 15 games, with a goals-against average of 2.09 and a save percentage of .919.

Carey Price calls Jacob Fowler

After the game, Fowler told RDS that Price had called him after his recall.

“On RDS, Jacob Fowler just said that Carey Price reached out to him after he got called up by the Habs, saying that he’s supporting him and to just have fun.” – Habs On Reddit

The message was simple and direct. He reportedly told him that he supported him and that he should have fun. In a city like Montreal, receiving that kind of call carries significant weight.

Price has now belonged to the San Jose Sharks since September 5, 2025. His $84 million contract ends after the 2025-2026 season, and it is reported to carry an annual salary of $10.5 million. He has not played in the NHL since the 2021-2022 season, but his name remains everywhere whenever the CH talks about goaltenders.

The historical nod is a flavorful one. Fifty-four years after Ken Dryden in 1971, forty years after Patrick Roy in 1985, and eighteen years after Price in 2007, Fowler has also won his first start.

The CH may not have found all its answers, but it has just found a story that sticks.